Is Mold Considered A Fungi
Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae. Molds can thrive on any organic matter, including clothing, leather, paper, and the ceilings, walls and floors of homes with moisture management problems. There are many species of molds.
How Does Spray Foam Insulation Prevent Mold
Most people realize that moisture and mold can cause health problems and serious damage in your house. Based on the New York Times, mold can result in health problems that include:
- Sneezing & coughing
- Allergic reactions
- Irreversible lung damage
Obviously, nobody wants to risk their health, or that of family members. Whats worse is that if your home goes unprotected against mold for too long, the removal process can cost thousands of dollars. You dont even have to see the mold growing to be affected by it. Because of the excellent air sealing properties of spray foam insulation, moisture is less likely to enter your home. This reduces the risk of mold, as well as the risks of rot and structural damage that accompany water infiltration.
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What Are The Health Risks Of Mold On Insulation
Not everyone can detect the presence of mold in home insulation. However, some people are sensitive to it when the indoor air quality is detrimental. Such people show symptoms like itchy eyes or skin, stuffy nose, and wheezing. Individuals with immune suppression and allergies may be more susceptible. These people are at high risk of mold infection.
People with chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, may also find it difficult to breathe. If you have any of these conditions, consult a qualified medical clinician for diagnosis and treatment.
Read more about health effects of mold exposure.
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Mold In Attic Insulation
Attics are likely to have the most favorable conditions that allow mildew to grow seamlessly. Mold growth continues undisturbed for years as most homeowners seldom go up to their attic. But what are the potential causes of this growth in the attic roof insulation?
- Insufficient or blocked ventilation of the attic space: The attic insulating material sometimes blocks the soffit/eave vents, thereby damaging the complete ventilation system. This makes the warm and humid air in the attic stagnant, which often condenses together with the cold wood sheathing in the winter. The woods trap moisture and become wet and, subsequently, the attic becomes moldy.
- Roof leaks/issues: Mold usually grows around the small, localized area of the attic where the roof leaks.
- Inappropriate exhausting: Both bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans and dryer exhaust vents are designed to pump out moisture from your home. If they terminate moisture into the attic rather than the outside of your home, this could lead to heavy mold growth.
When plumbing stacks terminate inside the attic, it can be a source of condensation. It can also emit hazardous gases, which can lead to its growth in the attic. But how do you know if mold spores are present in your attic?
The tell-tale signs of an attic mold issue include:
- Attic insulation becomes wet
Read more information about attic mold removal.
Whats The Best Insulation
Like any investment, insulation increases the value of your property. Insulation products have distinct advantages and disadvantages, so the best insulation for your property can include more than one type:
- Cellulose Made of 80% recycled materials, so the popular choice for environmental consciousness.
- Fiberglass Easy, energy-efficient, and popular. Fiberglass provides a good sound barrier and promotes healthier IAQ.
- Radiant barrier The best choice for soundproofing.
- Spray foam Creates a very tight seal.
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How Does Mold Grow On Fiberglass Insulation
The action of mold grow on fiberglass insulation is similar to how mold grows on any surface or material. Theres a presence of water and mold spores. Both of these materials can make their way to the insulation in your home as the ground breathes. The earth is in a state of flux because of water. Rain and other water sources penetrate the soil. After a while, it evaporates from the ground going back into the atmosphere.
Most homes are built with a water vapor barrier to prevent the ground the house sits on from releasing this water vapor back into the home. However, some homes never had a barrier put in place or put in place incorrectly while others have had barriers that have been damaged or moved. This allows for the water vapor and other materials, such as mold spores, to get inside of your home.
The moisture can collect along the barrier and enter through any holes. It can soak into the paper backing of the insulation or the wood subfloor where its warm and moist. This is the perfect place for mold to thrive, especially since you have no clue that the water is getting in.
How Does The Breakdown Of The Fiberglass Lead To More Difficulties
The breakdown of fiberglass in this situation can drive to more difficulties in your house. Your insulation is usually not up to the task of managing your home properly insulated. It can result in heat or air leaking in the air conditioner out of your residence. Theres also the possibility of health dangers as the fiberglass loads up with more dust, mold, and other undesired pests.
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Why Is There Mold On My Insulation
Its time once again to make one of only a few yearly trips up to the attic. Maybe youre looking for those long lost Fourth of July decorations, or maybe its time to haul out those hefty window AC units. Whatever the case, everything is going smoothly when out of the corner of your eye, you spot some gray and black stains on your attic insulation. Is that mold? you ask. And how did it get there?
Mold on insulation is more common than you may think, and it can occur anywhere from the crawlspace up to the attic. It can have a number of causes all of which have one thing in common: moisture.
How Molds Become An Issue With The Various Types Of Insulation Materials
Since molds rely on water or moisture to grow, people need to pick a type of insulation that will be able to prevent water from leaking into their houses. Depending on the kind of material that has been used to create the insulation material, this would determine if the material will be able to seal any cracks or holes in the surface cavities of the walls of a house. This brings us to a discussion on which types of insulation materials will be able to effectively prevent water or moisture from entering the house. You may refer below for information about the common types of insulation materials and their effectiveness in keeping out moisture or water:
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What Causes Mold In The Home
Most often, the reason for mold suddenly appearing in the home has to do with water damage. This could be related to a burst pipe or flooding in an area of the house. Regardless, moisture is a major concern and should be taken seriously. While its very easy to repaint a discolored ceiling, it may have deeper structural damage that could lead to more serious issues down the road.
For mold to grow, it needs moisture, a warm climate and some type of biodegradable material to feed off of. If you havent experienced a burst pipe or flooding recently, the issue may lie in your attic. More specifically, your attic may have been improperly or insufficiently insulated.
An attic that is properly insulated will successfully keep moisture out and cool air in. However, any gaps that exist in the insulation will allow for humid air to enter and result in the ideal breeding ground for mold to form.
Additionally, your HVAC system can cause your minor moisture problem to become a major mold issue. If you have mold hiding in your attic or walls, mold spores can seep into your HVAC system. They will then travel through the pipes and continue growing and spreading throughout your entire home.
How To Detect Black Mold On Insulation
Yet black insulating material, as weve mentioned, is not necessarily black mold. Air leaking from your house can discolor the fiberglass. This is because the air is carrying particulates and moisture, turning the fiberglass black. If this turns out to be the case, the root of the problem must be addressed with caulk or canned foam.
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How Do You Tell If You Have Mold In Your Fiberglass Insulation
If you suspect theres a mold problem with your fiberglass insulation or any other part of your home, its best to schedule an inspection with a mold remediation specialist. They have the tools and training to be able to assess the presence of mold in your home, including your insulation.
If they do find mold, they can then help you understand your options to remove it and restoring the healthy air quality of your home. This might include the total removal of affected materials, replacing carpets, and drywall.
In a case where a mold problem is found in your fiberglass insulation, you may need to have your house completely reinsulated. The mold remediation specialist will provide you with a variety of insulation options, once all the mold-infested fiberglass has been removed.
This might also include repairing or replacing sections of your homes vapor barrier. They might also recommend installing a type of insulation that is less likely to host mold spores in the future, like open or closed spray foam insulation.
Part : What Is Mold What Causes Mildew And The Health Effects Of Mold Within The Built Environment
What is mold?
Mold is a fungus that is a normal part of the outdoor environment, aiding in the decomposition process of organic materials such as fallen leaves and trees. While mold can play a beneficial role in nature, it can be very problematic in an indoor space, feeding off wood, gypsum, wallpaper, and other organic materials. There are many different kinds of mold including black molds, brown molds, white molds, gray molds, green molds and many other colors, with some species being more concerning than others. Below is a brief description of the most common type of mold.
Black molds are usually dark green, gray or black in color, and typically grow in warm, moist environments such as kitchens, basements, showers, toilets, and baths. Most of these molds release toxins that can cause allergic reactions in people such as itchy eyes, itchy skin, stuffiness, wheezing and coughing or more severe symptoms such as headaches, exhaustion, fever and difficulty breathing.
Green molds are abundant, with thousands of green mold species documented. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium, are the most common molds that produce a green hue. The green colour is often caused by the material they grow and feed on, the climate or region they inhabit. Most green mold species produce mycotoxins and are associated with allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, itchy skin, sneezing, coughing or respiratory issues.
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What Does It Mean If Your Fiberglass Insulation Is Black
Insulation filters the air leaks from your house, showing you signs of energy loss
You might have noticed some black insulation in your attic or maybe around the perimeter of your basement, where the house rests on the foundation. What does this mean? Is it moldy? Wet? Why is the insulation black?
In fact, black insulation is the energy auditors best friend because it tells us where the problems are. In just a few minutes of looking around the attic, you can find the most serious air leaks from the house. Heres why
When you have an air leak between the house and the attic, it is usually at an electrical wire or pipe that runs through the walls and into the attic. But sometimes, its at a bigger hole, like the duct chase in the photo above.
Fiberglass gets discolored when it filters the air leaking from your house. Over the years, the air leaking from the house, carrying dust and other particulates and moisture, turns the fiberglass black. So wherever you see black fiberglass, dig down and look for where the air is leaking out. Once you find the source, use some good quality caulk or canned foam to fill in the holes. If its a big hole, you might need to cut a piece of sheet-metal or drywall to cover the hole. You then want to seal it with caulk or foam to ensure that its air tight.
Basics Of Mold Growth
Crucial to the ecosystem, these fungi play a crucial role in the decomposition of organic materials, making nutrients available in the soil. However, the problem arises when such spores grow indoors, feeding on insulating materials such as cotton. Growing in the form of multicellular filaments, mould is fungi and needs moisture to grow. It reproduces through the production of spores. Such spores end up airborne. Inhaled into the lungs, such spores pose the risk of respiratory issues. Learn more about mold growth.
Act Now and Remove Mold from your HomeCall a Professional Mold Remediation Specialist or Get Up to 4 Quotes Now.
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How To Prevent Mold On Insulation
You may visualize mold prevention as an impossible task when you consider summers usual high humidity level. However, preventing mold growth on your insulation is possible by doing the following.
- Ensure free air flow in your home.
- Whenever flood strikes, dry out your home immediately.
- Insulate your home with a rigid foam board to reduce the amount of moisture buildup
- Ensure your home humidity is very low throughout the day.
- Buy mold resistant and add them to paints before painting your home
- Dry-soaked upholstery and carpets immediately.
- Use closed cell foam to insulate both the interior and exterior of your walls.
Read our ultimate guide about mold prevention.
No Vapor Barrier = Mold Growth
It may be hard to see in the 2nd photo but under that fiberglass insulation was a layer of frost and also a small area of mold that has begun to grow. This particular basement is only a few years old and it looks like the process has slowly started to take hold on all of the framed walls.
This is a perfect example of why vapor barriers are so crucial to insulating with fiberglass insulation. Clearly the water vapor was trying to escape the basement and it was trapped between the OSB wall sheathing and the fiberglass insulation. When the vapor hit the cold wall it condensates and then froze into the frost thats currently on the wall. Its safe to assume that once warmer weather came the damp fiberglass insulation helped promote the growth of mold that we see in the photo.
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Is There Mold Growing On Your Attic Insulation
If youve been noticing a musty odor in your Central New York home, then you might be having a problem with moisture. One of the main culprits might be improper venting into your attic if your bathroom fans are venting there, your home insulation could be in serious jeopardy.
Why might mold be growing on your attic insulation? Well, technically speaking, mold doesnt grow directly on insulation, but settles there after falling from roof sheathing, or grows on dust on top of the insulation. Regardless of where the mold originated, a moisture issue in the attic is most likely causing it and if your fans are venting there, thats the likely cause.
If you suspect mold growth in your attic, there are some telltale signs that you should look for:
Your attic is damp and there is moisture condensation on surfaces
There is a musty smell in your attic and the surrounding area
There are indications of moisture or mold growth in your ceilings
There may be ice damming on your roof in the winter
In extreme cases, there may be wood rot in your support beams
When you look for mold on your insulation, youll notice a thin grey or black layer on the top of the insulation. Mold growth can be harmful to your health. If there is significant mold growth on your attic insulation, removal and replacement is recommended.
My House Was Flooded From A Broken Water Pipe Resulting From A Freeze Is The White Snow Like Substance On Concrete Mold Or The Beginning Of Mold And I’ve Been Putting Rubber Mats On The Floor So That I Don’t Have To Walk On The Huge Amounts Of Dust From Replacing Drywall Please Tell Me How I Should Be Handling This Situation Ive Also Been Rnning Fans Thinking I Was Drying Out The Surface Of Concrete But I Turned Off The Fans After Reading The Fema Pamphlet
White growth on concrete is nearly always efflorescence, not mold growth. You can verify this by spraying a bit of water on the suspected growth. If its efflorescence, it will disappear as the crystals are dissolved by the water. If its mold, it will flatten, but remain visible.
I recommend removing the rubber mats for now. The impervious nature of the mats will prevent the concrete from releasing the moisture. After a week or so, put a couple of mats back down. Peel them back a few days later and look for signs of moisture on the underside of the rubber. If you see moisture, pull them off and allow the concrete more time to dry.
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